Scott Jones Backs Away, No Longer Sure He Supports Trump

Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones buckled under pressure from Democrats as he backpedaled on support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during an interview with local Sacramento KFBK radio.

Jones’ political consultant covered for his client, saying that Jones would vote, albeit unenthusiastically, for Trump if the election were held on Monday. But the candidate himself, who is facing incumbent Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) in November, seemed unsure about his support for Trump during the recent interview.

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The Sacramento Bee quoted Jones’ words: “I don’t know what I am going to do, to be honest with you.”

The contender for Congress expressed doubts about Trump while vocally aligning himself more closely with House Speaker Paul Ryan. (Ryan has himself tossed out indications that his stated support for Trump could be revoked at will.) The Bee notes that Jones was confident in March that despite his concerns over Trump, should the real estate mogul win the nomination, he would “definitely support Trump” as the nominee.

Support for Trump did cost Jones the support of the Teamsters in May, according to the Bee. The labor union had endorsed Jones, but a spokesman for the group confirmed later that it was withdrawing its endorsement. Teamsters Joint Council 7 President Rome Aloise sent a letter expressing extreme disappointment after learning Jones planned to vote for Trump. Bera used the occasion to lash out against Jones, and also used the opportunity to re-affirm his disdain for the Republican presidential nominee.

Bera has stumped for his party’s presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. From the floor of the recent Democratic National Convention, Bera attempted to distance himself from a campaign finance scandal involving his father, as the congressional incumbent spoke with DiyaTV. Babulal Bera pleaded guilty in May to charges of federal election fraud. The senior Bera admitted to making “straw donations” to his son’s campaign.